Tournament Charity Partners and Birdies For Charities organizations come together to help these kids grow, learn and play. And our Kids Can Champions are among the more than 130,000 children throughout Iowa who were helped by the Principal Charity Classic last year.

We hope by sharing these stories you see firsthand the wonderful work these organizations do every day to help Iowa kids. But none of this would be possible without your support. Tournament proceeds directly benefit Iowa children’s charities. So, thank you.

Watch a special video about our 2018 Kids Can Champions honorees below.

Meet our 2018 Kids Can Champions honorees.

Tournament Charity Partners were asked to nominate deserving children, ages 5-17, who met the following criteria: 1) the child faced and overcame a significant challenge; 2) received support from multiple non-profits that benefit from Principal Charity Classic funds; and 3) would serve as an inspirational role model for other kids.

And from the many inspiring nominations received, the following four kids were selected as our Champions for 2018.

Amran, age 17.

Amran was born to a Somali family in a Kenyan refugee camp. This year she graduates from high school in Des Moines, another big step toward her goal of becoming a teacher. She wants to pay forward the life-changing power of a good education.

Watch Cooper swing a baseball bat or golf club and you don’t even realize he’s fighting leukemia, now in remission. He and his fraternal twin, Jaxson, love to tease each other. But their bond is like no other.

Robbie survived a massive brain hemorrhage that inspired him to want to make “the whole world a healthy place” by helping children’s charities. Now he dreams of playing Major League Baseball or becoming a veterinarian.

After infant heart surgery, Sanel spent many months in the hospital. Always smiling, he continues to overcome health complications. He loves riding his bike, playing ball and spending time with his family.